Because little formal examination of the interactive effects of direction and support on employee outcomes had been conducted, the researchers at Blanchard designed a study to investigate the effectiveness of the four leadership styles of the SLII model, which evolved from initiating structure and consideration. Specifically, the study was designed to answer three questions:

• Would individuals report that they received all four leadership styles from their leader?
• Would individuals feel they needed all four leadership styles from their leader?
• When an individual received the level of direction and support they felt they needed, were they more positive about their leader and their work environment?

Learn more about SLII^®, the most widely used leadership training program in the world.